ERIC EJ794067: Planning ADE: Implications from the Literature on Student Perspectives

2005·0.06 MB·English

by  ERIC

Planning ADE: Implications From The Literature… McNeill & Eddy
Planning ADE: Implications From The Literature On
Student Perspectives
1 2
Elisa Elizabeth McNeill M.S. ; James M. Eddy
1 Texas A&M University; 2 Professor and Chair, Texas A&M University, Division of Health Education
Corresponding author:
Elisa Elizabeth McNeill, M.S., Lecturer, Division of Health Education, Texas A&M University, MS 4243,
College Station, TX, USA, 77843-4243; Phone [phone]; Fax 979.847.898
Email: [email protected]

Accepted and Revised March 25, 2005.

Abstract
English:
As the use of instructional technology continues to escalate, it is not surprising that universities are attempting to
reach new student markets by using technology. Many of the benefits and barriers to asynchronous distance
education (ADE) have been examined over the years; however, few have explored these constructs from the
student’s perspective. This manuscript points out some benefits of ADE: lower costs, increased flexibility, greater
convenience, higher return on investments, and expanded opportunities. It also addresses possible obstacles:
administrative policy and infrastructure issues, quality of technical instruction, inadequate support services, and
intrinsic factors affecting student performance. An analysis of these pros and cons is a vital part of planning
effective ADE. Suggestions for methods to improve the viability and quality of ADE from the student’s perspective
are offered using examples from the discipline of health education.
Key words: Distance Education, Program Planning, Asynchronous Distance Education

Introduction are varied and often influenced by logistic,
professional, social and family factors. Most
A
s instructional technology application becomes successful asynchronous distance education programs
employ some type of systematic marketing research
more pervasive in society, the prevalence of distance
activity to examine these barriers and benefits in the
education programs increases. Such programs have
program design process. This type of market research
achieved varying levels of success. Success in a
does not focus solely on the “selling points” of the
distance education program is clearly linked to the
course or program, but includes an exchange of
quality of instructional applications and the extent to
values and needs between the potential student pool
which the courses and programs meet the unique
and the distance education program planners. These
problems, needs and capacity of the target audience.
student values and needs are often closely aligned
Much of the discussion on the benefits and barriers with perceived barriers and benefits of ADE. For
of distance learning in higher education has focused example, if students need a set of knowledge and
on such administrative and faculty concerns as skills to pass a certification exam, these tools are
technology, faculty acceptance and program built into the distance education courseware. Or, if
implementation factors. The purpose of this students do not have the ability to stream videos,
manuscript, however, is to view the benefits and other distance education delivery mechanisms are
barriers strictly from the student perspective as a offered. A systematic and focused marketing research
backdrop of the program design process. More process helps the program planner to identify both
specifically, the authors will examine the benefits and the benefits and barriers for student participation in
barriers to enrolling in asynchronous (lack of distance education programs.
concurrence in time) distance education (ADE)
Benefits And Planning Implications
courses and programs, provide practical applications
examples from the education and health education
The benefits and barriers cited later in this paper
professions, and outline related guidelines for
are based on literature in the field and the experience
program planning. Suggestions to enhance the
of the authors. This is done to provide a snapshot of
viability of such programs will also be offered.
ADE programs for health educators without the
Student benefits and barriers from participation in capacity to conduct an extensive needs assessment.
asynchronous distance education (ADE) programs
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Planning ADE: Implications From The Literature… McNeill & Eddy
Many of the student benefits of using ADE courses discussed below were gleaned from the research
process used to design distance education programs support and those who can work independently.
and can be categorized as: Also, prospective students should be asked to write a
statement of purpose for enrolling in a distance
• Convenience and Capacity
education course. This statement will provide insight
• Cost
into their expectations and motivation.
• Flexible Learning
• Expanded Opportunities Cost
• Return on Investment (ROI)
Enrolling in distance education courses often

reduces some of the ancillary costs associated with
Convenience and Capacity
attending college. These savings range from the
Often potential students are drawn to distance
obvious such as parking and room and board, to the
education programs because the students are
more concealed or oblique, including the waiver of
“location bound,” and a college program in their area
certain fees, extra-curricular costs, and travel
of interest is not readily available within a reasonable
expenses. For most working adults, the cost of
driving distance. This problem becomes more acute
college is a major concern. Today’s distance
as college-degree programs become more
education students are discerning consumers who
specialized. For example, a student may be able to
want to get the most for their educational dollar.
find a graduate program in health education locally,
They are asking for the stripped-down version of
but he might not be able to find a program
higher education that is not academically inferior and
specializing in school health education. In addition
are unwilling to pay for activities, extras, and
to logistic concerns, many potential students are
services they will not use (Levine & Sun, 2002).
“time bound.” The nature of the economic climate
ADE courses and programs help students to manage
today typically requires that most adults in a
their budgets better by minimizing or eliminating the
household work in order to maintain lifestyle
traditional amenities without sacrificing quality.
expectations. With the normal workday extending to
When comparing traditional, on-campus courses to
5 p.m. and beyond, many potential distance education
distance, on-line modes of delivery, Navarro and
students find that their evenings are often devoted to
Shoemaker (2000); Nunan (1999) found no
community, household and child-rearing duties.
significant difference in learning outcomes. “Media
Consequently, carving time from a busy and
comparisons statistically almost guarantee that
changing schedule often negates the ability to devote
distance learners perform just as well as campus-
weeknights to attend classes. Yet, an ADE program
based students” (Lockee, Burton, & Cross, 1999). It
allows students to complete coursework at the pace
appears, therefore, that some of the cost of traditional
their schedules permit. The convenience found in
on-campus instruction can be minimized without
self-direction of pace and depth of learning certainly
diminishing institutional quality.
appeals to some learners. The ability to work at a
variety of locations can be a time-saving device. Tuition and fee expenses are major considerations
Additionally, the amount of time saved in avoiding for working adults, therefore, special consideration
the extraneous activities related to attending class should be paid by those developing the policies and
makes the choice for ADE more attractive. Time practices of ADE. When possible, tuition should be
spent in transit, parking, walking to class, and set based on the results of the program design needs
returning home could be more efficiently used to assessment process. This needs assessment will
complete distance coursework. Obviously, reveal “what the market will tolerate” related to
convenience of distance education courses and tuition and fees. As ADE continues to become more
programs is a key benefit for students. The popular, planners will need to address issues related
convenience of an ADE program is clearly linked to to scholarship and financial aid. Currently, financial
the capacity of students and their attitudes toward this aid is somewhat limited. To qualify for the most
type of instruction. These conveniences work well for widely available federal student loans, namely need-
the mature, disciplined, motivated students, but based subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford loans
program planners should keep in mind that the (current rate: 7.46% after you finish your course
procrastinating, underachieving, uncommitted student work), you must be enrolled at least half time (Smith,
might find these same items detriments. Careful 1999). There is a need to provide scholarships,
screening of enrollees, perhaps with required faculty stipends and/or financial aid for distance education
recommendations and an evaluation of previous students.
scholastic performance, help to identify those
students who may require a greater amount of Flexible Learning
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Planning ADE: Implications From The Literature… McNeill & Eddy
Quality distance education programs actively adaptation to different learning styles and diverse
explore strategies to transform traditional campus- levels of competence; this allows a customized
based classroom instruction. Ideally, the quality of learning environment in which the student determines
distance education is enhanced because the method of how fast or how deeply to examine a topic (Perreault,
delivery requires the instructor to modify his or her Waldman & Ahao, 2002). This is a clear advantage
traditional role, likely resulting in a more student- over traditional classroom courses that are tied to a
directed experience. Instead of being instructor- pre-determined curriculum content and time
centered, the presenter becomes more like a dynamic schedule.
coach, guiding the process, motivating the learner,
When developing on-line courses, program
and sparking interest in related topics. The
planners need to offer technical support in the form
instructor’s primary role is to supply and clarify
of establishing chat-rooms and building web pages
information skills and processes, deemed pertinent to
with links that will enhance the student’s ability to
the students’ educational goal. For ADE, obviously
explore other sources of information. Faculty mentors
face-to-face student discussions are not possible on-
for ADE courses need to be carefully selected and
line, thus other strategies to replace discussions need
trained. Faculty working with ADE students need to
to be implemented. There is a unique safety and
be sensitive to the timeliness and specificity needed
intimacy from on-line interaction not found in a large
to effectively mentor students.
class situation. With a chat-room environment comes
a “personal,” immediate interaction, but it can come
Expanded Opportunities
with a degree of anonymity, if desired. The
instructor truly becomes a facilitator/coach; this Another advantage of distance education often
naturally results in the course having a student- missed by students enrolled in traditional college
centered focus rather than an instructor-centered courses is the ability to eliminate the constraints of
format. Delay in interaction can benefit both students being “location-bound.” This elimination provides
and instructors, for both have time to research and the distance learner the opportunity to explore
refine answers or to call on specialists. Maintaining information from a wider range of academic leaders
structure while relinquishing a degree of academic in a particular field. Perhaps a student in New York
control to learners allows the online-instructor to has an interest in diabetes and health disparities, but
provide closer support for learners while encouraging the leaders in these fields are located in Texas. With
greater interaction among participants in the course distance learning, the student could easily enroll in
(Mahesh, McIsaac, 1999). This significant shift in different courses, at different universities to create a
delivery allows the student to take responsibility for course-work portfolio of substantial creditability.
the learning process and the ability to determine the This flexibility allows students to take courses from
depth and breadth of exploration. the most distinguished and knowledgeable educators
in a particular content area. Planners should,
For example, when the authors conducted an
whenever possible, include recognized scholars and
evaluation of a distance education master’s degree leaders in the field in ADE courseware. ADE
program, they found that one of the primary reasons
provides an excellent opportunity to include the work
why students were attracted to distance education
of natural scholars in the field of study into the
was the ability of the student to be self-directed and program application. Because the scholar does not
to study independently. Many distance education
need to be “on campus” the program planner can
programs offer the prospect of exploring
include these experts in the ADE courseware and link
supplemental materials that are not part of the core student to related background information and
curriculum. Following the discussion of how to
documents. Keep in mind, the use of experts in
enhance expertise in designing smoking cessation
distance education programs is more applicable in
programs, a student might choose to spend more time asynchronous offering. The content of the expert can
probing the theories of behavior change with
be captured electronically and viewed by students as
appropriate behavioral theory information linked to
needed. Obviously, it would be expensive and often
the instructional application. Additionally, the ability impossible to have experts to interact with each
to move through course-related material at a pace
student on an individual basis.
determined by the student prevents stagnation. The
advantage of being able to press on without waiting Distance education also opens other doors to allow
for the “rest of the class” to reach the same level of for interaction among health professionals. Enrolling
mastery saves the learner time that could be better in a distance education course with other health
used improving areas of weakness or exploring educators allows the students the opportunity to gain
related topics of interest. Distance education offers from the experiences of other professionals in the
field. In a survey designed to explore learner
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Planning ADE: Implications From The Literature… McNeill & Eddy
satisfaction with distance education courses that used BARRIERS
online postings, Stephanie Buckingham, summarizes
Although ADE may seem ideal for many students,
the sentiments of one student involved in her study
it is not free of barriers. These obstacles to distance
“… the other students were working in such a variety
education can be categorized into several key areas:
of practice settings that the experience (online
learning) enabled me to learn about different areas of • Technological Drawbacks
practice.” (Buckingham, 2003) The enormous variety • Administrative Support and
of settings available to health educators makes the
Student Services
use of distance education a real advantage in the • Instructional Quality
learning process.
• Support Services
• Requisite Student Skills
Return on Investment
Those with bachelor’s degrees, as a general rule, Technological Drawbacks
tend to make more money during their lifetime than
In order to complete asynchronous distance
those without degrees. Also, those who secure
education courses, students need a reasonably high
master’s degrees earn even more than people with
degree of computer and technology skills.
bachelor’s degrees. Thus, many ADE students can
Additionally, they need the appropriate hardware
see a significant return on investment (ROI) across
necessary to access course materials and the
their lifespan. For example, in one southeastern state,
instructor. Research by due to computer-related
public school health educators earn approximately
problems than because of instructor interaction or
$4500 more per year with the completion of a
course content (Mason and Weller, 2000). If on-line
master’s degree. Let’s look at a case study example
video instruction is offered, students need computer
to highlight potential ROI.
equipment and connections sufficient to stream the
Barb Wire is a 35-year-old school health video files. Program designers often possess
educator with two children. She enrolled in a technological skills and have equipment that is not
distance education master’s program that present for a critical mass of the target audience. For
requires 33 hours and plans to complete the the student to achieve success, offered programs need
program over a two-year period. Each course to be user-friendly and technologically simple.
costs $550 plus books, making the approximate Sometimes students overestimate their computer
cost of the program $6850 ($6050 for tuition and expertise when enrolling in a distance education
$800 for books.) With a $4500 pay raise, Barb course, and this necessitates the need for on-line help
will yield a return on her program expense in desks and student-tutorials (Perreault, Waldman &
1.52 years (keep in mind that this scenario does Ahao, 2002). Limited equipment and training present
not account for tax credits related to educational significant barriers for students enrolling in ADE.
expenses or tax liability on earned income.) So, Keeping this in mind, program planners should strive
if Barb works until she is 57, her long-term gain to design courses such that computer equipment and
is $90,000 during her tenure as a teacher. If she standard software requirements are accessible by
retires on 50% of her salary and lives to the age most students. Student tutorials and on-line help
of 72, her income gains during her retired years should be an integral part of every distance education
in $56,250. offering. A “frequently asked question” link on your
website is often a useful feature for many ADE
Even considering the necessary costs associated with
programs. Program planners should consider
the ADE program—such as computer hardware,
technical support staff needs when designing
Internet access and paper expenses—the ROI from a
programs. Lack of appropriate technological skills,
master’s degree is substantial.
support and proper equipment remain barriers for
Program planners can play a vital role in helping students seeking distance education options.
students see their potential return on investment.
Providing cost benefit scenarios for potential students Administrative Support and Student Services
might enhance their understanding of the ROI a At its best, a successful distance education plan
student could accrue from completion of a distance should be integrated into the university’s vision and a
education program. The impact of financial aid strategic plan, which outlines the purpose and the
availability should also be included in these ROI goals of the ADE program should be clearly
calculations. articulated. This concept holds especially true from
the perspective of the student participating in the
course. Although many universities have added
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Planning ADE: Implications From The Literature… McNeill & Eddy
continuing education and distance education some basic information. First, distance education
activities as “core mission”, the day-to-day students may be willing to pay a premium for courses
procedures to admit, enroll, track and graduate as long as they are of comparable quality to those
participants are still geared to resident students. The offered on campus (Sevier, 2003). Second,
bureaucratic rules and policies, both written and interaction between the student and instructor appears
unwritten, that fail to account for the unique to be a pivotal issue for student satisfaction in on-line
circumstances of distance education cause quite a courses. Students rate their online experience as more
hassle for students. Many students completing favorable when their personal participation is greater
asynchronous distance education courses begin and (Stein, 2004). Third, participants cite a lack of timely
complete courses outside of the traditional semester feedback and minimal teacher contact as common
or term format. Universities that have not modified barriers when evaluating course satisfaction
their student records procedures may give “I” (Galusha, 1998). Fourth, the quality and integrity of
(representing an incomplete grade) to distance the educational process is grounded in two-way
education students. This creates a false impression of communication; thus, student feedback is a critical
the student’s progress toward a degree, especially, if component of the distance education process.
the “I” grade remains on the transcript. Clearly, (Hillesheim,1998). Students definitely expect and
several barriers of administrative support must be deserve a quality interactive program.
addressed.
The online instructor’s role takes on a heightened
Planners with a clearly defined vision for ADE complexity in the distance education arena. Crucial to
will be able to foresee potential problems and to the instructor’s effectiveness is the ability to adeptly
avoid them. As part of the needs assessment process, communicate; however, it is just one of many
program planners should carefully examine characteristics necessary to be an effective online
university policies and procedures to determine those educator (Young and Shaw, 1999). The quality
that are not distance education friendly. Also, the use control guidelines developed by the American
of qualitative evaluation measures with enrolled Council on Education (2003) provide program
students might help pinpoint problem areas. The planners with suggestions to endure quality control.
early years of distance education provided an
For most online students the instructor is perceived
exploratory approach to offering online education by
as an important source of support for academic and
faculty members who desired to delve into cyber-
administrative matters (Cain, Marrara, Pitre and
education. Consequently, many of the current
Armour, 2003). A key indicator of the quality of an
programs have evolved from a bottoms-up approach
ADE program is the quality of the interaction
that lacks a systemic perspective (Rowley and
between student and faculty. Program designers,
Sherman, 2001). Policies and procedures should be
therefore, may need to incorporate an additional level
examined to identify those that support and hinder
of training to ensure that instructors are competent to
ADE. Universities are often bound by traditions that
handle this responsibility to motivate and nurture
support the resident instruction model.
students. Doing so will create a sense of community
Administrative gridlock can be reduced by a careful
where students feel free to participate. “Online
examination of university policies and procedures
educators who understand that safe, nurturing
with an eye toward the needs of the distance
environments are foremost in contributing to
education student.
learners’ happiness, sense of comfort and ultimately
rates of completion, place the creation of community
Instructional Quality
high on their list or priorities” (Conrad, 2002 p. 9).
An expressed concern of potential distance The sense of community is enhanced when students
education students relates directly to “quality of feel like they are an important and integral part of the
instruction” issues. Students ask a variety of learning process; instilling this concept is easily
questions such as: accomplished through frequent positive feedback
• Is this course/program the same quality as from the instructor. “In the absence of nonverbal
cues, instructors… noted the importance in providing
the on-campus program?
increased levels of reinforcement” (Kennedy, 2002 p.
• Will I have open access to program faculty?
412). Frequent and positive feedback has the ability
• Will I be able to discuss instructional
to act as motivation for students to become more
material, methods and activities with my
involved, thus, more satisfied with the educational
peers?
process. When comparing types of feedback and
Research on the relationship between quality and
student satisfaction, Hubschman (1999) discovered
ADE and distance education programs has yielded
that participants who received more mentoring types
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Planning ADE: Implications From The Literature… McNeill & Eddy
of messages (personal and caring) when available to the “on campus” student (Levy and
communicating with their instructor, had higher Beaulieu, 2003). Typically these services include
levels of satisfaction about being members of their admissions, catalog, library resources, registration
academic program as opposed to the control group and scheduling. Scholarships, student clubs, online
who received neutral messages that conveyed general tutoring, testing centers and disability services
information. It seems evident that the level of an represent some of the potential areas of expansion in
instructor’s involvement and personal contact with student support. Based on the results of their study,
the distance learner is correlated to student Levy and Beaulieu suggest “colleges need to consider
satisfaction and potential educational success in the all the student services before implementation and
on-line course. Coordinators for ADE must take into not plan and implement one service at a time” (Levy,
account the involvement and responsibility of the and Beaulieu, 2003). The advance planning which
course providers and see that they are sufficiently establishes an entire program of services will
trained for their uniquely complex roles. eliminate many course complications. Offering
additional services will require considerable
Support Services preparation on the part of program planners, but the
addition of student support services will enhance the
As the market for distance education becomes
learning experience of the on-line student. Stages of
more competitive, program planners will need to be
prepared to provide new enticements that will attract providing on-line support have been suggested by
Johnstone (2002); these include:
students to their offerings. It is most probable that
these enticements will come in the form of student 1) Creating Web pages that provide
support services. ADE students need to know that information
they have equal access to student support services 2) Linking the Web pages to forms and support
provided to residence students such as: financial aid, service contacts
automated registration, enrollment, fee payment, 3) Making available online access to student
grade access, website/email and library services. records
These support services, which provide assistance and 4) Providing counseling through the use of
guidance beyond the learning material, build a sense chat-rooms.
of community for the distance education student. Levy and Beaulieu, (2003) suggest that distance
According to Mason and Weller (2000) students education students who receive on-line support
provided with support services are more likely to services are more likely to succeed in their courses.
succeed on their online distance education classes. On-line success is the fundamental that insures the
Students appreciate the fact that they are considered viability of distance education. Word-of-mouth
part of the campus population even though they are marketing is a powerful tool in the promotion of
not resident students. A key selling point for a distance courses, for satisfied consumers, have the
distance education program, designed by one of the opportunity to be a driving force behind support for
co-authors of this paper, was that students enrolled in online courses and programs. One simple way to help
the program were allowed to purchase student students to gain better access to student support
football and basketball tickets. Although very few services is to weave these issues and concerns into
distance education students took advantage of this the needs assessment process used to design and
service, the fact that they could do so made students update the program. Assessment will pinpoint
feel that they were valued members of the campus problems and solutions from the student’s
community. perspective. Acting on this information will
ameliorate many of the student support problems
Distance education does not have to exist in an
inherent in asynchronous distance education
“internet vacuum;” student services may be offered
using toll-free telephone numbers which can allow programs.
the student contact with the university on a fairly
Requisite Student Skills
personal level (Sevier, 2003). This can enhance the
distance learner’s sense of partnership, thereby Taking courses through distance education is a
minimizing a potential barrier to on-line courses and new experience for most students; therefore, fear of
programs. the unknown, questions about personal motivation
and lack of role models are barriers for some
Most of the planning for distance education is
students. Retention rates for on-line courses are often
centered on the course offerings, and the
worse than for conventional learning; recent studies
consideration of student support services becomes an
indicate that about 30% of participants will
after-thought. Current distance education students
successfully complete their distance courses
are accessing about 10% of the student services
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Planning ADE: Implications From The Literature… McNeill & Eddy
(Simpson, 2004). The lack of self-discipline is instructor may choose to form peer-to-peer support
perhaps the most difficult barrier to overcome. systems, which allow students to exchange
Students find, however, that once a subject is information on a more personal level. Enhancing the
completed, the satisfaction prompts them to enroll in distance learner’s experience can also be
another course. As they continue to use the distance accomplished through the special student-instructor
education venue, they become more confident in their relationship. The student certainly benefits from all
abilities, making the entire process seem less these self-strengthening experiences.
overwhelming (Wilson, Glassford, Drupa, Masuda,
Wild, Plotnikoff, Ranie and Stewart, 2000). These Summary and Key Resources
intrinsic factors are often overlooked, but they remain
In order to effectively encourage participation in
true impediments for many students.
ADE, program planners and coordinators need to
Student fears about course expectations and their focus on promoting the benefits of asynchronous
ability to perform at an acceptable level are issues distance education while diminishing the barriers.
that program planners should strive to eliminate. The Table 1 summarizes some of the ways the beneficial
pre-admission process should provide information to components of distance education can be further
triage students in order to determine those needing enhanced. Amelioration of barriers is the primary
special attention. At some universities, students objective for planners of programs. Accentuating the
have the ability to access the entire course prior to positives and minimizing the perceived barriers
registration, thus, allowing the student to have full associated with distance education are central to
knowledge of the expectations before enrollment in successful planning. Numerous well-crafted sets of
the course. Previewing courses will empower the guidelines are available to assist program planners in
enrollees to select the ADE courses that they believe the designer of distance education programs. For
will provide a significant learning experience. The example, the American council on Education has
importance of student interaction cannot be over developed a set of guiding principles
emphasized. Interaction is defined as an interplay and (http://www.acenet.edu/clll/dist_learning/dl_principle
exchange in which individual groups influence each sIntro.cfm) to address the qualities that should be
other (Wagner, 1994). Enabling learners to have characterized in distance education programs. The
student-to-student interaction, via posting and Indiana Higher Education Telecommunication
answering questions in chat-rooms or at posting sites, System has developed guiding principles for faculty
enhances student skills while it creates a great sense involves in distance learning activities
of community among the distance education (http://wwww.ihets.org/progserv/education/distance/
participants. The formation of this bond between guiding_principles) and the American Distance
“classmates” brings a greater depth and richness to Education Consortium has developed a set of
the learning process. In a study conducted by Wilson, “Guiding Principles in Distance Education Teaching
Varnhagen, Krupa, Dasprzak, Hunting and Taylor and Learning”
(2003) researchers found that the degree of (http://www.adec.edu/admin/papers/distance-
participation and engagement among online-learners teaching_principles.html). These sets of guidelines
was greater than that of the “on-campus” students are thoughtful and thorough; providing the program
when discussions were held. One online course planner with appropriate tenets of distance education
provider was quoted as saying: to help ensure quality control. For example, the
American Council on Education’s Guiding Principles
“I just found the discussion was richer on the Web. provide suggestions to guide the “learning design”,
I think it was because people had more time to reflect “learner support”, “organizational commitment”,
on the question because you’re not all in it for a hour “learning outcomes” and “technology aspect” of
and a half thinking about it all at the same time. distance education courses and programs.
People went in at different points and then they
reflected on each other’s contribution and it provided Table 2 summarizes areas of concern, which need
more depth.”(Wilson, Varnhagen, Krupa, Dasprzak, to be anticipated and proactively addressed.
Hunting and Taylor, 2003)
Activities, which allow students to become actively
involved in the learning process, yield a more
successful learning experience. Challenging students
to construct their own knowledge in a self-directing

manner results in a greater student responsibility in

the learning process (Rovai and Barnum, 2003). An

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Planning ADE: Implications From The Literature… McNeill & Eddy
Table 1: Promotions of Benefits
CONSTRUCT PROMOTE BENEFITS APPLICATION
Convenience § Self directed learning pace § Screen applicants based on
and Capacity § Promote ability to work from a variety of locations previous self-directed
§ Promote time savings scholastic performance
§ Require faculty
recommendations
§ Clarify student expectations
and purpose for enrollment in
ADE program
§ Treat ADE as a normal
university function
Costs § Reduce ancillary expenses § Waive some required fees
§ Time savings § Set tuition based on market
factors
§ Address needs for financial
aid
§ Identify sources of
scholarships and stipends
Flexible § Self-directed learning enhances depth, breadth, and § Redesign course material for
Learning speed of learning process ADE
§ Careful selection and training
§ Shifts from instructor-centered to student-centered
of faculty mentors for ADE
presentation
courses
§ Instructor becomes facilitator /coach
§ Utilize chat-rooms/on-line
§ Modification of traditional teaching techniques
interactions
§ Greater opportunity for instructor/ student and
§ Provide additional links to
student/student interaction
other resources
§ Encourage interaction through
student anonymity

Expanded § Allow for program specializations § Promote the academic
Opportunities § Promote the ability to take courses from the notable credentials of ADE instructor
leaders in the field of a particular content area § Address need for providing
§ Promote ability to interact with others who share most current information
common positions in the health field to get their § Integrate recognized
perspective leaders/scholars in the design
of ADE courses
§ Line students to key
documents written by
leaders/scholars
Return on § Promote the ability to increase earning potential § Make available scholarships
Investment or stipend opportunities
§ Design cost/benefit scenarios
for students

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Planning ADE: Implications From The Literature… McNeill & Eddy
Table 2: Amelioration of perceived barriers
CONSTRUCT PRECEIVED BARRIERS AMELORATION
Technological Drawbacks • Lack of student skills • Keep program user friendly
• Lack of computer • Provide on-line help desks
hard/software • Provide student tutorials
• Over-estimation of
computer proficiency
Administrative Support and • ADE not part of university • Integrate into university’s
Student Services vision vision
• Lack of marketing • Examine universities policies
• Bureaucratic red tape and procedures
• Multi-disciplined course
planners
Instructional Quality • Concerns about quality of • Training for instructors
program • Create sense of community
• Concerns about access to • Frequent feedback
faculty/peers • Plan for complex roles of
• Need for student interaction instructor
• Concerns about a lack of • Use standard quality control
timely-feedback guidelines
Support Services • Need for equal access to • Create sense of community
support services • Expand availability of
additional student perks
• Develop sense of partnership
• Establish entire program of
offering additional services
• Provide online support
Requisite student skills • Fear of unknown • Increase the amount of active
• Lack of role models learning
• Lack of personal motivation • Develop peer-to-peer
relationships
• Provide course preview
/demonstration modules
• Triage students prior to
admission

Conclusion
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